The U.S. Ambassador in Benin Michael Raynor presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of the New Embassy Compound (N.E.C.) this Tuesday, August 20.
The ceremony took place on the construction site in the presence of the Benin Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sir Nassirou Arifari Bako, representatives from other diplomatic missions in Benin, American officers and local authorities.
Ambassador Raynor said that the new Embassy Compound will serve as a shining example of the excellent cooperation between the two countries. Also the projects will inject more than 32,000,000 US dollars (15.000.000.000 CFA) into the local economy, including the purchase of construction materials, the payment of wages and the cost of accommodation. It will train 500 Beninese workers who will be equipped with new construction techniques. Minister Bako said that the construction of the new Embassy reassures the Benin Government that the U.S. Government will maintain a long-term and lasting partnership with Benin, as the U.S. Embassy moves from a rented place to its own place.
